Commission brief: The groundwork for S.R. Crown Hall was set when Mies van der Rohe devised his master plan for the new IIT campus in 1941, which included a site for the “Architecture and Applied Arts Building.” The new home of the architecture department, of which Mies was director at the time, was the last of 19 buildings to be constructed by the renowned architect at IIT. The official commission for the "Department of Architecture and Institute of Design” building came from the Buildings and Grounds Committee in February 1950.
Design brief: Mies experimented with several schemes for Crown Hall before settling on the final design for a clear-span structure. In the first dated drawings from May 24, 1952, the building elevation was similar to that of his earlier campus buildings of brick, steel, and glass. The building footprint conformed to the 24-foot grid that dictated the layout of his campus master plan. The design called for a ground floor, basement, and mezzanine to house the building functions. The structural design consisted of a simple steel post and beam system, though unlike Mies’ other IIT buildings, the perimeter columns were not fully expressed on the brick and glass façade. The early concept for Crown Hall shared many similarities with Mies’ un-built design for the IIT Library and Administration Building. However the extent to which Mies contributed to the original scheme is unknown since its purpose was mainly for fundraising. Several variations of the early design existed, in which modifications were made to the exterior glazing and outward expression of the structure. Mies also conducted numerous space planning studies for the Department of Architecture and Institute of Design.
In the next dated drawings from November 10, 1952, the building broke away from Mies’ campus plan and earlier IIT buildings. The building footprint abandoned the regular campus grid and adopted a 10-foot module. The cladding materials excluded brick and instead used just steel and glass. Perhaps most notably, the roof girders and exterior columns for the clear-span structure were introduced into the design. Mies had previously experimented with the use of exterior truss supports and uninterrupted spaces in his designs for the Cantor Drive-In, IIT’s Student Union Building, and the Manheim Theatre Competition. Though the three projects were never built, they undoubtedly contributed to the final scheme for Crown Hall. Several versions of the structural design showed between 4 and 6 exterior trusses, however Mies eventually settled on 4 solid steel girders to support the building. The reasons for using girders rather than trusses were likely both aesthetic and practical, as trusses were unnecessary to support the span and would have been more difficult and expensive to fabricate.
Mies presented his drawings and a model to the Buildings Committee on November 25, 1952, where his design was declared “of such an extreme nature…a most advanced design.” As proposed, the new design exceeded the $500,00 budget, causing the project to be delayed until the following spring. The project resumed with two alternate floor plans in the next dated drawings from June 1, 1953. Mies completed several layouts for the building, in which he experimented with the number of window modules and overall footprint, possibly to fulfill his design process or to reduce the cost of the project. The plan for the main hall was essentially fixed by then end of June 1953, however the arrangement of the basement spaces was not set until sometime that fall. Fundraising for Crown Hall continued through the following year, though little changes were made to the building during that time. A $250,000 donation by the Crown family in the name of Sol R. Crown provided the source for the name of the building. On June 11, 1954 Mies was directed to precede with the design drawings, and on September 2, 1954 the Buildings Committee approved them.
Building/construction: Following their approval, Mies’ design drawings were sent to PACE Associates, an associate architecture firm responsible for completing the construction documents and overseeing construction. The construction drawings were distributed to several contractors in November 1954. Twelve bids were submitted, with the award going to Dahl-Stedman Company. Separate contracts were commissioned for work on the mechanical and electrical systems. Groundbreaking ceremonies for Crown Hall were held on December 2, 1954, and construction began soon after. David Haid served as the project architect for Mies’ office, with PACE Associates overseeing daily construction activities. Assembly of the steel structure began in the spring and continued into the summer. A basement fire on March 25, 1955 caused significant damage and delayed construction by several weeks. By July 1955 the steel structure was in place and ready for glazing. Mies continued to rearrange the interior spaces in the main hall throughout the construction process. The final arrangement for the partitions was set by August 1955. Other changes during construction included the installation of sprinklers in the main hall, which was required once the city learned that the space was intended for educational purposes and not simply exhibition space. Though construction was not yet complete, most of the building was occupied by November 1955. The official dedication of Crown Hall took place on April 30, 1956 in a ceremony featuring speeches by architect Eero Saarinen, industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss, and city planning consultant Walter H. Blucher. Speaking on the greatness of Crown Hall, Saarinen declared: “It is fitting that in this city architecture should be taught in the proudest building of this campus. It is time that architectural education came out of the dingy attics of the past into this serene temple of the present.”

Others associated with Building/Site: Original owner: IIT Department of Architecture and Institute of Design

Significant Alteration(s) with Date(s): Type of change: Replacement of exterior glazing and roof, modifications to interior Date: c. 1975
Persons/organizations involved: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) Circumstances/reasons for change: Little work was done to Crown Hall for nearly two decades after its completion. However general deterioration and wear prompted a renovation of the building in the mid-1970s. Chicago firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) were selected to complete the project. In February 1974, SOM issued a report detailing the current condition of the building and their recommendations for repair.
Effects of changes: Though not all of SOM’s suggestions were implemented, several significant changes were made under their direction in 1975. The building received a new roof and ceiling tiles for the main hall. New light fixtures were installed to increase artificial light levels on the desk surfaces. The main hall was rearranged to provide additional administrative offices, and the wood partitions were refinished. The basement layout was modified to accommodate changing spatial needs. The steel frame also received a fresh coat of black paint.
Perhaps the most significant change executed by SOM was the complete replacement of the exterior glazing. According to SOM, the 1/4-inch thick translucent glass on the upper portion of the building no longer complied with building codes nor did it provide adequate resistance to wind loads. Consequently it was replaced with 3/8-inch thick panels with new aluminum stops. The sandblasted glass on the lower portion of the building was also replaced with a laminated product. The exterior renovation was later criticized for its poor appearance and for vastly disrupting the quality of light in the building.
Type of change: Repair of exterior porches and doors, installation of air conditioning
Date: c. 1985-1986
Persons/organizations involved: George Schipporeit, Peter Beltemacchi, David Sharpe
Circumstances/reasons for change: Following the renovation by SOM, little work was done to Crown Hall until the mid-1980s. In 1984, several repairs were planned for the building in preparation for the centennial of Mies’ birthday.
Effects of changes: From 1985-1986, a number of projects were completed on the exterior of Crown Hall. The travertine north and south porches were repaved, and a new stainless steel framing system was installed for the north steps. The Ellison stainless steel doors were refurbished and the original weather-stripping was removed. The steel frame was repainted, broken glazing was replaced, and platform lifts were added at the north entry and west interior stair. The most significant alteration undertaken in the mid-1980s was the installation of air conditioning. The project required considerable modifications to the floor and removal of the roof of the penthouse, which received two rooftop condensers.
Type of change: Renovation of basement, replacement of roof, modifications to air conditioning
Dates: 1989-1996
Persons/organizations involved: Gene Summers, Fujikawa Johnson and Associates
Circumstances/reasons for change: In 1989, the Institute of Design moved out of Crown Hall, allowing the department of architecture to occupy the entire basement. The lower level of the building was reworked as a result. Other maintenance repairs were completed in the mid-1990s as well.
Effects of changes: The entire south end of the basement was rearranged between 1990-1993 to make room for the new Graham Resource Center, administration offices, and a lecture hall. The relocation of the administrative offices from the upper level to the basement allowed for some reconfiguration of the main hall partitions.
In 1996, Crown Hall received a new roof, for which the original steel angle copings were replaced with painted aluminum coating against the recommendations of project consultant Fujikawa Johnson. The air conditioning system was also changed, eliminating the need for rooftop condensers. Consequently the penthouse roof was replaced.
Type of change: Replacement of exterior glazing, modifications to interior
Dates: c. 2002-2005
Persons/organizations involved: Krueck and Sexton Architects, McClier Preservation Group
Circumstances/reasons for change: Nearly 50 years after its completion, Crown Hall was in need of major renovation. Though several projects had been completed on the building throughout its history, the effects of age, improper alterations, and piecemeal maintenance were largely apparent. In 2002, Krueck and Sexton Architects were selected to perform a multi-million dollar renovation of Crown Hall with the assistance of preservation consultant Gunny Harboe.
Effects of changes: The Crown Hall renovation was divided into three phases, the first of which took place on the building interior. The project included repainting the storage lockers, refurbishing the oak partitions, and wiring the main floor for electrical and data services. The second phase of the project involved restoring the exterior of the building to its original aesthetic. The steel frame was stripped of its original lead-based paint, repaired, and repainted to match the original “Miesian black.” The exterior glazing was replaced to resolve both its functional and visual inadequacies. Recapturing the original aesthetic while brining the building up to code required some compromise. Modern building practice would not allow the replacement of the 1/4-inch thick transparent panels used by Mies on the upper portion of the walls. Instead, 1/2-inch thick, low-iron glass was installed in custom-made stops to give the upper panels their ‘barely-there’ appearance. The lower portion of the wall was replaced with sandblasted panels and coated with clear epoxy so as to maintain the appearance while preventing staining and scratching. The Crown Hall restoration was named the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Project of the Year in 2006. The award honors “individuals, organizations, projects, and programs whose work demonstrates a commitment to excellence in historic preservation.”

Current Use: whole building/site: Crown Hall is occupied by the IIT Department of Architecture. Of principal components: The first floor of Crown Hall is a glass-walled, column-less space in which student work areas and exhibition space are loosely divided by low-standing oak partitions. The lower floor provides more traditionally divided space for workshops, lecture rooms, service spaces, administrative offices, and the Graham Resource Center.

Current Condition: Of whole building/site: Crown Hall recently underwent an enormous renovation, inside and out, to return it as nearly as possible to its original aesthetic. When it reopened in 2005, it appeared as clean and sophisticated as when it was built.
Of principal components: As part of the renovation, the exterior glazing was entirely replaced, the steel structure was refurbished and repainted, and the travertine south porch was repaired.
Of other elements: On the interior, the wood partitions in the main hall were refurbished.
Of surrounding area: The landscape around the building was re-designed and re-planted, pulling inspiration from the original design by Caldwell, by landscape architect Peter Lindsay Schaudt around the time of the renovation.

General Description:

Crown Hall is one of 19 modern buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe for the Illinois Institute of Technology. As the last project to be completed for Mies master plan, Crown Hall departs from his earlier campus buildings in its proportion, structure, and materials.
Exterior: The building is arranged on a 10-foot module, unlike Mies’ other IIT buildings that derive their scale from a 24-foot grid. The steel and glass hall measures 120 feet by 220 feet and is divided lengthwise into three 60-foot bays with a 20-foot overhang on each end. It is supported by an advanced structural system of four 6-foot deep exposed girders and perimeter columns, from which the roof is essentially suspended. All steel is painted black, and all joints are field welded to provide a near seamless appearance. Centered atop the roof is a 6-foot tall penthouse. The exterior walls are clad entirely in glass, with vertical steel I-beams spaced at 10-foot intervals supporting the expansive panels. The glazing is divided into three horizontal sections by steel mullions. The upper layer is transparent and runs from the top of the wall down to a height of nearly 8 feet above the main floor. The middle layer is translucent, except in the center bay, and is further divided into two vertical sections. Below the translucent lights are 8-inch high louvered vents that provide ventilation to the main hall. The lower layer of glazing runs from ground level to the main floor and supplies natural light to the basement. Crown Hall rests on a flat lawn planted with trees and ivy. The main entrance is on the south side of the building. Travertine stairs and a platform that seem to float above the ground serve as the approach for two pairs of Ellison stainless steel doors. Only thin metal handrails, a later addition, provide a sense of grounding. A secondary entrance on the north elevation mirrors that on the south, with two sets of cast concrete steps and a travertine landing leading to a second pair of Ellison doors. Two exterior entrances are also provided for the basement level on the north side.
Interior: The building comprises two floors, with the main hall raised 4 feet above grade to allow for clerestory windows in the basement. Due to the nature of the building’s structure, the main hall becomes a column-less universal space, perhaps the greatest ever designed by Mies. There are no formal divisions of space in the 18-foot tall room. Rather areas are sectioned off with freestanding wood partitions that only rise to about 8 feet, allowing for an uninterrupted overall view of the hall. Only two vertical chases extend all the way from floor to ceiling. A 1-foot wide soffit surrounds the perimeter of the ceiling, making it appear as though it is detached from the walls and floating above the space. The white acoustic ceiling tile is a sharp contrast to the black terrazzo floor. Thin metal handrails distinguish the two cast terrazzo staircases that penetrate the floor and lead to the lower level. Though less architecturally significant to the overall composition of the building, the basement provides space for service facilities and other operations that require more formalized division. Rooms are arranged around a main stair hall and two corridors, which share the same terrazzo floor as the upper level. The walls are almost entirely concrete block, and the concrete slab of the floor above serves as the ceiling in most areas.

Construction Period:

Original Physical Context:

This building is a part of the Illinois Institute of Technology campus.
Visual relations: Crown Hall was one of 19 buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe for his master plan for the IIT campus. Among his other buildings were Perlstein Hall (1945-1946), Alumni Memorial Hall (1945-1946), Wishnick Hall (1945-1946), and Siegal Hall (1945-46, 1956-1957). Completed situation: Crown Hall was intentionally situated within the IIT campus on an open lawn, visually isolated from its surroundings by sidewalks on all sides. Alfred Caldwell designed the landscaping around the building, which included Honey Locust trees and Boston ivy.
Original situation or character of site: The site for Crown Hall was created as part of a 120 acre campus master plan for IIT, following the merger of the Lewis and Armour Institutes in 1940. The campus was located on the site of the former Armour Institute and incorporated several of its older buildings into the design, including Machinery Hall (1901).
Present context: In 1996, architect and Mies’ grandson Dirk Logan created a new master plan for IIT that proposed restoring the main components of Mies’ plan and constructing several new buildings on the campus. The McCormick Tribune Campus Center, a dramatic addition to the campus design by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, was opened in 2003. The State Street Village residence hall, a state-of-the-art student living environment by architect Helmut Jahn, was completed in the same year. Crown Hall and Wishnick Hall, another of Mies’ designs, were pinpointed for restoration as part of the campus revitalization. With two phases of renovation complete at Crown Hall, a third stage is planned to reduce the overall energy use of the building. An automated building management system will be installed to control all of the engineered systems. Automated blinds will be added to take advantage of opportunities for natural light, and the original heating system beneath the floor will be retrofitted to provide cooling as well.

Evaluation

Technical Evaluation:

The clear-span, steel and glass construction of Crown Hall epitomized the Modernist values of structural clarity, material innovation, and adaptable space. The ingenious use of rooftop girders supported by perimeter columns represented the “first large-scale realization of Mies’ concept for a…universal space building.”5 Crown Hall admitted to its complete reliance on its structural system by placing the structural elements at the center of its design and leaving them entirely exposed. The glass curtain wall eliminated any question about how the building was supported. It allowed the building to be honestly understood from both inside and out and promoted Mies’ philosophy of “almost nothing.”

Social:

The plan for Crown Hall offered a radical alternative to traditional school building design, much like Mies’ teaching theories advanced the field of architectural education in the United States. As director of the IIT Department of Architecture, Mies completely transformed the curriculum of the program, incorporating into it both his own personal philosophy and the ideals transferred to him during his time at the Bauhaus. At Crown Hall, Mies’ collaborative teaching methods were transformed into a physical reality. Specifically in the main hall, he created cooperative environment in which students and faculty were encouraged to interact openly with one another. The glass-walled, column-less space sought to further the architectural pursuits of its inhabitants by allowing for the free flow of light, air, conversation, and creativity.

Cultural & Aesthetic:As conceived, Crown Hall carefully combined function and appearance into one harmonious composition. The clarity and rationality of the design hinged on an honest expression of structure, unobstructed through the use of exterior glazing. Its delicate proportion, rhythm, and visual purity were expressed both inside and out, using only the most basic elements, minimalist materials, and simplest details. Mies himself described the building as “the clearest structure we have done, the best to express our philosophy.” Crown Hall demonstrated that steel and glass could be combined to create a sophisticated design that remained visually and functionally true to its purpose and structure.
From its conception, Crown Hall was recognized as an exemplary model of the International Style and the Modernist Movement. It received great praise from individuals, architects, and several of the most notable journals of the time. A 1956 article in Architectural Forum expressed the magnitude of Crown Hall, declaring “the structural clarity of IIT’s newest building is unlikely ever to be surpassed in steel.” Its combination of structure, materials, and adaptable space advanced the possibilities of Modernist values in steel and glass construction, thereby meriting continued attention by current architectural practice.

Historical:

General Assessment:Crown Hall was part of a series of studies in steel, glass, and clear-span spaces by Mies. Beginning in the mid-1940s, he played with the ideas of universal space and exterior structure in his designs for the Cantor Drive-In, IIT’s Student Union Building, and the Manheim Theatre Competition, though none were ever constructed. At Farnsworth House (1947-1951), Mies was able to transform these notions into a physical reality. The rural house consisted of one room, interrupted by only a service core, with glass walls that nearly eliminated the barrier between interior and exterior. It should be noted that other architects of the time were adopting similar ideas, such as Philip Johnson with his Glass House (1949). At Crown Hall, Mies adapted the same fundamental principles to a much larger scale, setting a precedent for spatial and structural possibilities. His later work at the Federal Center Post Office in Chicago (1959-1974) and the National Gallery in Berlin (1962-1968) pulled inspiration from Crown Hall.